Red 3 (Erythrosine)
High ConcernAlso known as
red 3erythrosinee127fd&c red no. 3fd&c red 3
The concern
FDA banned Red 3 in food and ingested drugs in January 2025 after studies showed it causes thyroid tumours in male rats. EU already restricted its use.
What to look for on labels
This ingredient may appear under any of the following names or codes on product labels:
- Red 3 (Erythrosine)
- red 3
- erythrosine
- e127
- fd&c red no. 3
- fd&c red 3
Commonly found in
Sweets, soft drinks, cereals, ice cream, sauces, confectionery
Other artificial colours to know about
Data sourced from IARC, FDA, EFSA, WHO and EWG public data. For informational purposes only. This does not constitute medical or legal advice.